What did Canada’s prime ministers do after leaving office? A look back

When Canada's prime ministers left office, they headed into a variety of roles, with some returning to law, some opening consultancy firms and even teaching.

From careers in law and consulting on geopolitics to teaching, Canada’s former prime ministers have had a wide range of jobs since leaving office.

Former prime minister Justin Trudeau remains as the member of Parliament for Papineau until the next federal election. After that, it remains to be seen what he will do next.

“Once you’ve been prime minister,  you have a certain name and profile, so that carries a lot of weight with a lot of corporations, corporate executives and especially carries weight with the developing world,” said Nelson Wiseman, a professor emeritus at the University of Toronto.

But while Trudeau’s path is not yet known, here’s a look at where some of those before him went when they left office.

After his defeat in the 2015 federal election, Stephen Harper launched the Calgary-based consultancy firm Harper & Associates Consulting Inc., which was incorporated in December 2015.

The consultancy firm’s website says it combines the global network, experience and insight of a G7 leader to create value for clients.

Barely a year later, Harper took on a “strategic affiliation” role with international law firm Dentons, where he would “provide advice to clients on market access, managing geopolitical and economic risk, and how to maximize value in global markets,” a statement from the company said at the time.

He also was named a board member of the Conservative Party’s fundraising arm, the Conservative Fund, in May 2016, about the same time he announced he would resign as an MP.